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Step 5: Actually Building a Character

Since I'm sure this was all clear as mud, why don't we take a look at what an actual character would look like at level 7?

First let's start with what we know:

Choosing a Class: I will choose Infiltrator.Abilities and Feats: I have 8 points to spend, and I get Firearms, Light Armor, and Tactical Cloak for free. With my two points at level 1, I choose Medium Armor and Tactical Armor. At level 2, I buy CQC, and at level 3 Sudden Strike. At level 4 I Focus Tactical Cloak. At level 5 I Specialize Tactical Cloak and choose Lasting Cloak. At level 6 I buy Overload, and at level 7 I buy Sabotage.Skills: I get 10 points per level, so 70 points total to spend.
- At first level, I put 4 in Stealth, 4 in Electronics, and 2 in Athletics.
- At second level, I put 4 in Stealth, 4 in Electronics, and 2 in Athletics.
- At third level, I put 4 in Stealth, 4 in Athletics, and 2 in Hacking.
- Fourth Level - 4 in Stealth, 6 in Hacking.
- Fifth Level - 4 in Stealth, 2 in Athletics, 4 Disguise.
- Sixth level - 4 in Stealth, 4 Persuasion, 2 Disguise.
- Seventh Level - 4 in Stealth, 4 Disguise, 2 Perception.

And this is just an example. This is an obviously Stealth-heavy Infiltrator. You could do something completely different. Nothing says you have to spend four points on the same class skill every level; you could do that every other level to make your character more well rounded, or not spend a whole four. The skill system is your oyster—feel free to get crazy with the combos. The only suggestion I have is that you note out your skill expenditures by level, as I did above, to avoid massive amounts of confusion.

Step 6: Putting on the Details

Okay, you say. My character had a job before she became a mercenary and started saving the galaxy from a ship that thinks it's some kind of murderous mallard. Does that impact her at all?

Sure. We're still working on professions but those are coming very soon, and as soon as they're done, you can take whichever one best fits your character's background and enjoy some bonus skill points.

Hmm, you say. I yearn for more fluff about my character. After all, this is a freeform and not D&D. I don't have a list with all my ability mods or anything. What can I take to show that my character plays electric guitar on the weekends and can make a flan so perfect it would make Master Flancrafters cry?

Well, I say, that's a little weird about the Flan, but feel free to take the following Fluff Skills as you'd like to round out your character. You don't have to pay Character Points or Skill Points for these.

There you go! Your character is probably pretty much done at this point. Item lists and Professions are coming soon but will probably not necessitate a huge overhaul at this point so go ahead and start building your character if you want so we can shake the bugs out of this thing. No offense, rachni bros.

Step 7 Bonus Round: Backgrounds and Professions

Backgrounds and professions help explain more about your character and their place in the galaxy.

Background is what your character did before accruing character levels; they might have served as a soldier, as a police officer, or even as a librarian, teacher, or something else. Whatever you choose will give you some skill points and help serve as a basis for your character's growth.

Possible Backgrounds

All adapted from the D20 Modern SRD; professions should be regarded as flavor items, for the most part.

When you select a background, and you can select only ONE, you may select from its list of skills (Some backgrounds only give you one skill to choose, others allow you to select up to three from a list. Choose wisely.) On selecting that background and the affiliated skills, you will receive a one time only +5 to that skill.

Art (writing), Hacking (Computer use), Electronics, investigate, Knowledge (any) or add a new Read/Write Language or a new Speak Language.

Athlete
Athletes include amateur athletes of Olympic quality and professional athletes of all types, including gymnasts, weight trainers, wrestlers, boxers, martial artists, swimmers, skaters, and those who engage in any type of competitive sport.

Skills: Gain a permanent +5 bonus to Athletics, which translates to increased balance, dexterity, and endurance.

Blue Collar
Blue collar occupations include factory work, food service jobs, construction, service industry jobs, taxi drivers, postal workers, and other jobs that are usually not considered to be desk jobs.

Celebrity
A celebrity is anyone who, for whatever reason, has been thrust into the spotlight of the public eye. Actors, entertainers of all types, newscasters, radio and television personalities, and more fall under this starting occupation.

Criminal
This illicit starting occupation reveals a background from the wrong side of the law. This occupation includes con artists, burglars, thieves, crime family soldiers, gang members, bank robbers, and other types of career criminals.

Dilettante
Dilettantes usually get their wealth from family holdings and trust funds. The typical dilettante has no job, few re¬sponsibilities, and at least one driving passion that ¬occupies his or her day. That passion might be a charity or philanthropic foundation, an ideal or cause worth fighting for, or a lust for living a fun and carefree existence.

Skills: Choose one of the following skills.

Gamble, Persuade, Knowledge (current events or popular culture), Drive, or add a new Speak Language

Investigative
There are a number of jobs that fit within this occupation, including investigative reporters, photojournalists, private investigators, police detectives, criminologists, criminal profilers, espionage agents, and others who use their skills to gather evidence and analyze clues.

Profession is what your character does now or aspires to do in the future. This can explain something your character is or something your character is training toward. In either case the profession will give some points toward a skill, but full mastery may not be conferred depending on the profession chosen. Please use good story sense.